Led light apparatus

ABSTRACT

A light apparatus for generating a mixed light output. The light apparatus includes multiple LED modules. Each LED module includes multiple LED regions. The multiple LED regions have separate electrodes. The multiple LED regions share the same package housing but at least two LED regions are covered with different fluorescent layers for emitting lights with different optical characteristics.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of a provisional application No.62/793,847.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a light apparatus and moreparticularly related to a LED light apparatus with mixed light.

BACKGROUND

When the LED technology keeps advancing, more types of LED light devicesare developed and designed. There is always a strong need to find aconvenient, low cost and flexible light apparatus for improving humanlife.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There are multiple ways to implement the invention. In some embodiments,a light apparatus is designed for generating mixed light output. Thelight apparatus includes multiple LED modules, a control circuit, and adriver module.

Each LED module includes a package housing for multiple LED regions. Themultiple LED regions have separate electrodes. The multiple LED regionsshare the package housing but are covered with different fluorescentlayers for emitting lights with different optical characteristics.

The control circuit is used for determining currents supplied to the LEDregions separately for generating a mixed light output with requestedoptical parameters.

The driver module is electrically connected to the electrodes of themultiple LED regions and connected to the control circuit forselectively supplying the currents to multiple LED regions of themultiple LED modules.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions include a blue lightregion, a red light region, a green light region and a white lightregion.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor temperatures. The multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor spectrums.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions in the LED module arearranged as grids.

In some embodiments, the different LED regions include the same LEDchips covered with different first fluorescent layers and a same secondfluorescent layer.

In some embodiments, the first fluorescent layers have less area thanthe second fluorescent layer.

In some embodiments, the second fluorescent layer comprise multiplesub-layers stacked one above another.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions contain different LEDchips.

In some embodiments, the different LED chips are kept with a distancefor better heat dissipation.

In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple LED regions arecovered with the same fluorescent layer.

Some other features may use the features further mentioned below.

In some embodiments, a light apparatus is designed for generating mixedlight output. The light apparatus includes multiple LED modules, acontrol circuit, and a driver module.

Each LED module includes multiple LED regions. The multiple LED regionshave separate electrodes. The multiple LED regions share multiplestacked semiconductor layers but at least two LED regions have differentetched trench patterns for emitting lights with different opticalcharacteristics.

The control circuit determines currents supplied to the LED regionsseparately for generating a mixed light output with requested opticalparameters. For example, the control circuit may be connected to anoperative switch for receiving a user input or a pre-defined setting.

The driver module is electrically connected to the electrodes of themultiple LED regions and connected to the control circuit forselectively supplying the currents to multiple LED regions of themultiple LED modules. PWM or linear currents may be supplied to the LEDregions to generate different light strengths.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions may include a blue lightregion, a red light region, a green light region and a white lightregion. With the four light regions, a mixed light is generated byadjusting currents supplied to the four regions. In some otherembodiments, the currents may be fixed, instead of being changeddynamically.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor temperatures. By adjusting different current ratios or differentPWM duty ratios, the LED module may emit lights of different colortemperatures.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor spectrums. For example, different LED regions may emit differentcolors.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions in the LED module arearranged as grids. For example, each LED region is a rectangular areaand arranged together as a larger rectangular shape.

In some embodiments, the shared stacked semiconductor layers include aGaN buffer layer, a N-type GaN layer, a InGaN/GaN layer, an electronicshielding layer, and a P type GaN layer, from bottom to top.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns have different trenchdensities for generating output lights of different opticalcharacteristics. By adjusting trench densities, different LED regionsemit lights with different optical characteristics. Meanwhile, becausethe different LED regions may share the same substrate and stackedsemiconductor layers, it is easier to manufacture the LED module in thesame semiconductor procedure.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns are formed on a Lithiumaluminate substrate.

In some embodiments, the LED regions are covered with one or morefluorescent layer to change output light characteristics.

In some embodiments, the fluorescent layers covering different LEDregions are different for mixing different lights. In other words,different LED regions are covered with different fluorescent layers forfurther adjusting light outputs.

In some embodiments, the same LED regions in different LED modules aresupplied with different current values. Specifically, there are multipleLED modules disposed in the same light apparatus. In such design, eventhe LED regions with the same etched trench pattern in different LEDmodules may be supplied with different current values, e.g. depending onwhere the LED module is disposed in the light apparatus.

In some embodiments, when an overall driving current is decreased, thecurrents supplied to different LED regions drop at different speeds. Inother words, in such design, the overall light output strength may beadjusted by adjusting an overall current strength. When the overalllight of the light apparatus is lowered down, the currents droppingspeeds are controlled to be different, e.g. so as to simulate somenatural light changes from noon to sunset.

In some embodiments, light emitted directions of the multiple LEDregions are overlapped partially to generate a better mixed effect. Forexample, each LED regions are arranged with certain tilt angles in somelayers or directed by some layers to overlap the lights from differentLED regions.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns emit of the multiple LEDregions are arranged with a tilt angles for overlapping emitted lightsof the multiple LED regions.

In some embodiments, area sizes of the multiple LED regions are not thesame. For example, some LED regions provide more lights than other LEDregions when they are major light sources.

In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple LED regions have thesame etched trench pattern. For example, there may be two red regions,one green region and one blue region for emphasizing certain lightcharacteristic.

In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a communicationcircuit for receiving an external command. The control circuit decodesthe external command and translates the external command tocorresponding control signals to the driver module to generateassociated currents.

In some embodiments, the communication circuit is a wireless circuit.Therefore, the external command may be sent from a mobile phone, aremote control or even a remote server.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions are not supplied thecurrents at the same time. In other words, they are supplied withcurrents sequentially. This may help simplify circuit design and/ormaximize output strength of each LED region, e.g. to keep a currentgenerator circuit of the driver module to generate a constant currentsupplying to the LED regions one after another in a sequence.

In some embodiments, the LED regions are supplied with the currentssequentially in an adjustable order over time to emit different mixedlights. For example, some LED regions may be supplied with more times inthe order to emphasize its output compared with other LED regions.

In some embodiments, a light apparatus includes a white set of LED(Light Emitted Diode) modules and a non-white set of LED modules. Thewhite set of LED modules may include two or more than two LED modules.Each LED module may have one or more than one LED component, e.g. apackaged LED IC covered with fluorescent layer for emitting a light whenreceiving a driving current. There are more than two types of LEDmodules that emit different white lights, e.g. with different colortemperatures, in the white set of LED modules.

The non-white set of LED modules may include two or more than two LEDmodules. Each LED module may have one or more than one LED component,e.g. a packaged LED IC covered with fluorescent layer for emitting alight when receiving a driving current. There are more than two types ofLED modules that emit different lights, e.g. with different colors, inthe non-white set of LED modules.

For example, the white set of LED modules has a first LED module and asecond LED module. The first LED module emits a first light with a firstcolor temperature and the second LED module emits a second light with asecond color temperature. The first color temperature is different fromthe second color temperature. For example, the first LED module may emita light with similar spectrum as sunrise white light, and the second LEDmodule may emit a light with similar spectrum as noon white light.

For example, the non-white set of LED modules includes a third LEDmodule and a fourth LED module. The third LED module emits a third lightwith a third color and the fourth LED module emits a fourth light with afourth color. The third color is different from the fourth color. Theremay be a fifth LED module so that the third LED module, the fourth LEDmodule and the fifth LED module emit red color, blue color and greencolor, respectively. By adjusting light strengths of non-white set ofLED modules, a desired color may be mixed.

The light apparatus also has a control circuit for indicating anoperation mode selected from at least a first mode and a second mode.The control circuit, for example, may be a digital circuit or integratedwith a mechanic device for storing a status. Users may adjust a manualswitch, operate a remote control for setting or adjusting the controlcircuit for indicating a different operation mode that may be selectedfrom a first mode, a second mode and/or other modes.

A driver module is connected to the control circuit for selectivelysupplying currents to the first LED module, the second LED module, thethird LED module, and the fourth LED module according to the operationmode. The driver module may include a current source, a PWM powercircuit or other driver circuit types, for converting 110V or 220V AC tocorresponding DC currents supplying to drive the white set of LEDmodules and the non-white set of LED modules. There may be multiplesub-modules in the driver module respectively for each LED module or forthe white set and the for the non-white set of LED modules,respectively.

In the first mode, the first LED module and the second LED module areactivated and the third LED module and the fourth LED module aredeactivated for mixing a first output light using the first LED moduleand the second LED module. For example, no current is supplied to thenon-white set of LED modules in the first mode. The first LED module andthe second LED module are supplied with different currents to obtaindifferent first output lights with different color temperatures.

In the second mode, the first LED and the second LED module aredeactivated and the third LED module and the fourth LED module areactivated for mixing a second output light using the third LED moduleand the fourth LED module. For example, the first LED module and thesecond LED module are turned off. The third LED module, the fourth LEDmodule and maybe other LED module in the non-white set of LED modulesare turned on to mix a desired color.

In some embodiments, the first output light is adjusted to a differentcolor temperature by adjusting light strengths of the first LED moduleand the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the different color temperature of the first outputlight is obtained by changing a first current ratio of currentssupplying to the first LED module and the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the different color temperature of the first outputlight is obtained by changing duty ratios of the first LED module andthe second LED light module. In PWM power supplying, there is a dutyratio, the turned-on to turned-off ratio in a quickly repeated cycle, inPWM current supply. By adjusting the duty ratio, the overall outputlight strength is obtained. By adjusting the relative duty ratio betweenthe first LED module and the second LED module, a different colortemperature may be mixed.

In some embodiments, the first LED module and the second LED module emitlights simulating black body radiation spectrums corresponding todifferent sun light times. Black body radiation spectrum is used inPhysics, for indicating light characteristics similar to sun lightfeatures.

In some embodiments, the non-white set of LED modules also includes afifth LED module. The third LED module emits a red light, the fourth LEDmodule emits a green light and the fifth LED module emits a blue light.The second output light is adjusted to have different colors by changinga output ratio of the third LED module, the fourth LED module and thefifth LED module.

In some embodiments, there is a wireless circuit connected to thecontrol circuit for choosing the operation mode from the first mode andthe second mode. The wireless circuit may implement Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, orother wireless protocols for receiving and/or transmitting signals to anexternal device like a mobile phone or a remote control.

In some embodiments, the wireless circuit also receives an externalcommand for adjusting the first output light and the second outputlight. The external command may indicate a desired color temperature, adesired color, or a overall light strength for a luminance level.

In some embodiments, there is a manual switch manually operated by auser for indicating the control circuit to choose the operation modefrom the first mode and the second mode. For example, the manual switchmay be installed on a wall, on a back side of the light apparatus, on aremote control or on other places for users to operate for setting thelight apparatus. The manual switch may be a button, a rotating switch, atouch panel, a jumper switch or other forms. The control circuit mayreceive the status of the manual switch and translate the status tochoose a corresponding operation mode or other parameters.

For example, a light bulb as an example may be disposed with a manualswitch near its bulb cap. Users may buy the same light bulb but switchthe manual switch to set the output light of the light bulb to a desiredcolor temperature or a desired color. This may decrease the storage inthe store and users may even change the setting when they want to do so.Such mechanism may also be applied to down light, panel light, spotlight or other light devices.

In some embodiments, the manual switch is concealed from direct usertouch after installation of the light apparatus.

In some embodiments, the driver circuit has a shared current circuit forsupplying a driving current to either the white set of LED modules orthe non-white set of LED modules. As mentioned above, since the whiteset of LED module and the non-white set of LED modules may be set notturning on at the same time, there may be a shared current sourcesupplying a common current source either supplying to the white set ofLED modules or the non-white set of LED modules. In other words, in suchdesign, there may be two sets of LED modules, but there may be only oneset of driver circuit. Since the cost of LED modules are decreasing, theoverall value of such design keeps increasing.

In some embodiments, the shared circuit switches the driving current toeither the white set of LED modules or the non-white set of LED modulesbased on the operation mode.

In some embodiments, the driver module adjusts the first output light bychanging duty ratios of the first LED module and the second LED modulevia PWM power supplying.

In some embodiments, the driver module adjusts the second output lightby changing current ratios of the third LED module and the fourth LEDmodule.

In some embodiments, the driver module activates both the white set ofLED modules and the non-white set of LED modules in a third mode forgenerating a third output light.

In some embodiments, the driver module activates both the white set ofLED modules and the non-white set of LED modules in a third mode forgenerating a third output light.

In some embodiments, a mixed color of the third output light is changedby adjusting the non-white set of LED modules.

In some embodiments, a mixed color temperature of the third output lightis changed by adjusting the white set of LED modules.

In some embodiments, the white set of LED modules and the non-white setof LED modules are placed in an alternating mixed manner. Specifically,there may be multiple LED modules in the white set of LED modules andthe non-white set of LED modules. To mix a better output light, themultiple LED modules may be disposed in an alternating mixed manner,e.g. different types of LED modules are placed next to each other whilethe same types of LED modules are distributed evenly on a light sourceplate.

In addition, since the first mode and the second mode determine that thewhite set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules are notturned on at the same time, one LED module of the white set of LEDmodules may be placed adjacent to one LED module of the non-white set ofLED modules for achieving better heat dissipation, i.e. heat notaccumulated at the same place.

In some embodiments, the control circuit switches to the first mode orthe second mode when the white set of LED modules or the non-white setof LED modules are damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a light apparatus embodiment, showing components with across-sectional view.

FIG. 2 shows another aspect of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a first example of circuit diagram in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a second example of circuit diagram in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a LED module with multiple LED regions.

FIG. 7 illustrates another view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different embodiment of the LED module.

FIG. 9 illustrates LED regions with tilt angles.

FIG. 10 illustrates a LED module with multiple LED regions sharing thesame package housing.

FIG. 11 shows another view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment with multiple LED regions.

FIG. 13 illustrates component relation.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment with multiple LED modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention implements following concept in various light bulbs,downlight light, spot lights, any luminous devices and/or electronicdevices with light components. LED (Light Emitted Diode) modules, notlimited, are preferred in following embodiments.

There are multiple ways to implement the invention.

There are multiple ways to implement the invention. In some embodiments,a light apparatus is designed for generating mixed light output. Thelight apparatus includes multiple LED modules, a control circuit, and adriver module.

Each LED module includes a package housing for multiple LED regions. Themultiple LED regions have separate electrodes. The multiple LED regionsshare the package housing but are covered with different fluorescentlayers for emitting lights with different optical characteristics.

The control circuit is used for determining currents supplied to the LEDregions separately for generating a mixed light output with requestedoptical parameters.

The light apparatus has multiple LED modules. These LED modules may havethe same LED regions, e.g. with the same fluorescent layer compositionor etched trench patterns, but are provided with different currents orcontrolled separately so as to achieve different light effect.

For example, the LED modules are placed on different positions of afilament. By controlling currents to these LED modules separately, theseLED modules may emit different light strengths and/or even different LEDregion light outputs.

Please refer to FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, a light apparatus includes twofilaments, i.e. elongated light strips, and each filament 693 is mountedwith multiple LED modules 694, 695.

The driver module 692 receives control signals of the control circuit691 to send different currents to the LED modules 694, 695 separately.By setting the control circuit 691, the two LED modules 694, 695 locatedat different positions of the filament may emit lights with differentstrengths. Furthermore, the two LED modules 694, 695, even with the sameLED region settings, may emit different mixed light characteristic bysending different sets of current ratios to their LED regionsseparately.

The driver module is electrically connected to the electrodes of themultiple LED regions and connected to the control circuit forselectively supplying the currents to multiple LED regions of themultiple LED modules.

Please see FIG. 13, which illustrates relation among components in anembodiment.

In FIG. 13, a driver module 649 is connected to a control circuit 650 toreceive control signals. The driver module 649 supplies currents tomultiple LED modules 651, 654, 655, 656.

The LED module 651 has multiple LED regions 652, 653 receiving currentsfrom the driver module separately so that different LED regions may becontrolled separately to emit lights of different strengths.

Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. In FIG. 10, a LED module hasmultiple LED regions 638, 639. In this example, the LED regions 638, 639respectively have LED chips 633, 634 and share the same package housing631. There is a separator wall 632 separating the LED regions 638, 639.Different fluorescent layers 640, 641 are filled in different LEDregions 638, 639.

There are wires like the wire 635 for electrically connecting the LEDchip 633 to metal electrodes 636, 637.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions include a blue lightregion, a red light region, a green light region and a white lightregion.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor temperatures. The multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor spectrums.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions in the LED module arearranged as grids.

In some embodiments, the different LED regions include the same LEDchips covered with different first fluorescent layers and a same secondfluorescent layer.

In some embodiments, the first fluorescent layers have less area thanthe second fluorescent layer.

Please refer to FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, two LED regions have two LED chips645, 646 covered with different first fluorescent layers 643, 644. Uponthe different fluorescent layers 643, 644, another second fluorescentlayer 647 is covered with larger area size than the first fluorescentlayers. With such arrangement, different LED regions may providedifferent lights to be mixed even they have the same LED chips 645, 646.

In some embodiments, the second fluorescent layer comprise multiplesub-layers stacked one above another.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions contain different LEDchips.

In some embodiments, the different LED chips are kept with a distancefor better heat dissipation.

In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple LED regions arecovered with the same fluorescent layer.

Some other features may use the features further mentioned below.

In some embodiments, a light apparatus is designed for generating mixedlight output. The light apparatus includes multiple LED modules, acontrol circuit, and a driver module.

Each LED module includes multiple LED regions. The multiple LED regionshave separate electrodes. The multiple LED regions share multiplestacked semiconductor layers but at least two LED regions have differentetched trench patterns for emitting lights with different opticalcharacteristics.

The control circuit determines currents supplied to the LED regionsseparately for generating a mixed light output with requested opticalparameters. For example, the control circuit may be connected to anoperative switch for receiving a user input or a pre-defined setting.

The driver module is electrically connected to the electrodes of themultiple LED regions and connected to the control circuit forselectively supplying the currents to multiple LED regions of themultiple LED modules. PWM or linear currents may be supplied to the LEDregions to generate different light strengths.

Please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of suchLED module and FIG. 7 shows a top view of FIG. 6.

In this example, the LED module has four LED regions 612, 613, 614, 615arranged as a grid.

In FIG. 6, two LED regions are illustrated in their side view. The twoLED regions share multiple semiconductor layers but with differentetched trench patterns 610, 611 on a substrate 609 to emit differentlight outputs. For example, the etched trench patterns 610, 611 havedifferent densities.

The shared semiconductor layers may include a GaN buffer layer 608, aN-type GaN layer 604, a InGaN/GaN layer 603, an electronic shieldinglayer 602, and a P type GaN layer 601. A P-type electrode 605 and aN-type electrode 606 are used for receiving currents. There may be alsoan insulation layer 607 between LED regions.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions may include a blue lightregion, a red light region, a green light region and a white lightregion. With the four light regions, a mixed light is generated byadjusting currents supplied to the four regions. In some otherembodiments, the currents may be fixed, instead of being changeddynamically.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor temperatures. By adjusting different current ratios or differentPWM duty ratios, the LED module may emit lights of different colortemperatures.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor spectrums. For example, different LED regions may emit differentcolors.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions in the LED module arearranged as grids. For example, each LED region is a rectangular areaand arranged together as a larger rectangular shape.

In some embodiments, the shared stacked semiconductor layers include aGaN buffer layer, a N-type GaN layer, a InGaN/GaN layer, an electronicshielding layer, and a P type GaN layer, from bottom to top.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns have different trenchdensities for generating output lights of different opticalcharacteristics. By adjusting trench densities, different LED regionsemit lights with different optical characteristics. Meanwhile, becausethe different LED regions may share the same substrate and stackedsemiconductor layers, it is easier to manufacture the LED module in thesame semiconductor procedure.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns are formed on a Lithiumaluminate substrate.

In some embodiments, the LED regions are covered with one or morefluorescent layer to change output light characteristics.

In some embodiments, the fluorescent layers covering different LEDregions are different for mixing different lights. In other words,different LED regions are covered with different fluorescent layers forfurther adjusting light outputs.

In some embodiments, the same LED regions in different LED modules aresupplied with different current values. Specifically, there are multipleLED modules disposed in the same light apparatus. In such design, eventhe LED regions with the same etched trench pattern in different LEDmodules may be supplied with different current values, e.g. depending onwhere the LED module is disposed in the light apparatus.

In some embodiments, when an overall driving current is decreased, thecurrents supplied to different LED regions drop at different speeds. Inother words, in such design, the overall light output strength may beadjusted by adjusting an overall current strength. When the overalllight of the light apparatus is lowered down, the currents droppingspeeds are controlled to be different, e.g. so as to simulate somenatural light changes from noon to sunset.

In some embodiments, light emitted directions of the multiple LEDregions are overlapped partially to generate a better mixed effect. Forexample, each LED regions are arranged with certain tilt angles in somelayers or directed by some layers to overlap the lights from differentLED regions.

Please see FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, two LED regions 620, 621 are tilted withangles so that their output lights are overlapped to provide a bettermixed effect.

In some embodiments, the etched trench patterns emit of the multiple LEDregions are arranged with a tilt angles for overlapping emitted lightsof the multiple LED regions.

In some embodiments, area sizes of the multiple LED regions are not thesame. For example, some LED regions provide more lights than other LEDregions when they are major light sources.

Please see FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the LED regions 616, 619 have the sameetched trench pattern. The LED regions 616, 617, 618, 619 have more thanone types of area sizes.

In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple LED regions have thesame etched trench pattern. For example, there may be two red regions,one green region and one blue region for emphasizing certain lightcharacteristic.

In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a communicationcircuit for receiving an external command. The control circuit decodesthe external command and translates the external command tocorresponding control signals to the driver module to generateassociated currents.

In some embodiments, the communication circuit is a wireless circuit.Therefore, the external command may be sent from a mobile phone, aremote control or even a remote server.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED regions are not supplied thecurrents at the same time. In other words, they are supplied withcurrents sequentially. This may help simplify circuit design and/ormaximize output strength of each LED region, e.g. to keep a currentgenerator circuit of the driver module to generate a constant currentsupplying to the LED regions one after another in a sequence.

In some embodiments, the LED regions are supplied with the currentssequentially in an adjustable order over time to emit different mixedlights. For example, some LED regions may be supplied with more times inthe order to emphasize its output compared with other LED regions.

In an embodiment, a light apparatus includes a white set of LED modulesand a non-white set of LED modules. The white set of LED modules includemultiple LED modules with more than one type of optical characteristic.For example, the white set of LED modules has a first LED module with afirst color temperature that is close to sunrise sunshine. In addition,the white set of LED modules also has a second LED module with a secondcolor temperature that is close to noon time sunshine. Both the firstLED module and the second LED module are “white” LED modules althoughthey may have different color temperatures.

The non-white set of LED modules may include LED modules with multiplecolors that are not white. For example, the LED modules in the non-whiteLED set may emit red light, blue light or green light.

The LED modules in the white set of LED modules or the non-white set ofLED modules may contain the same LED chips, e.g. blue light LED chips,covered with different fluorescent layers for converting the originallight of the LED chips to desired optical characteristic, e.g. whitelights with different color temperatures, red light, green light or bluelight.

The light apparatus includes a driver circuit for providing a drivingcurrent supplying to the white set of LED modules and the non-white setof LED modules. The driver circuit may supply different current tochange emitted light strengths of the white set of LED modules and thenon-white set of LED modules to blend a mixed overall light of the LEDlight apparatus. For example, the LED modules of different colortemperatures in the white set of LED modules receive different currentsto adjust overall color temperature of the white set of LED modules. Inthe example mentioned above, the first LED module may receive a 0.05 Acurrent and the second LED module may receive a 0.50 A current. Theoverall color temperature would appear with a 1 to 10 ratio between thecolor temperatures of the first LED module and second LED module. Bychanging the current ratio, the overall color temperature may beadjusted to a desired value dynamically. In addition to change thecurrent, the overall mixed light optical characteristic may also beadjusted by other techniques like adjusting duty ratio of the LEDmodule.

In an embodiment, the white set of LED modules and the non-white set ofLED modules are categorized into two groups operated in separate modesrespectively. Specifically, in such embodiment, the white set of LEDmodules and the non-white set of LED modules are not operated at thesame time for mixing a desired optical characteristic.

For example, the light apparatus may have a first mode and a secondmode. In the first mode, the white set of LED modules are turned onwhile the non-white LED modules are turned off. In the first mode, theLED modules with different color temperatures or other opticalcharacteristic may be adjusted respectively to mix a desired colortemperature or other optical characteristic as mentioned above. In thesecond mode, the non-white set of LED modules are turned on, and the LEDmodules in the non-white set of LED modules are adjusted separately formixing a desired color or other optical characteristic. In other words,in such embodiments, the white set of LED modules are not used togetherwith the non-white set of LED modules for mixing a desired opticalcharacteristic. The light apparatus has the white set of LED modules andthe non-white set of LED modules at the same time, but the two sets ofLED modules are not combined for mixing a desired opticalcharacteristic.

In a white light mode (the first mode mentioned above), the output whitelight is generated by one or more white LEDs. The white LEDs (the whiteset of LED modules) can have different color temperatures so that theuser can adjust to a specific color temperature by mixing the differentwhite LEDs. None of the R, G, and B LEDs (the non-white set of LEDmodules) emit light in the white light mode. In other words, the whiteoutput light is generated by only mixing light from different whiteLEDs, not by using any R or G or B LEDs. In one embodiment, Ra8 of thewhite light mode is always lower than 85.

In a color light mode (the second mode mentioned above), the outputcolor light is generated only by mixing the R, G, and B LEDs. None ofthe white LEDs emit light in the color light mode. That is, the outputcolor light is generated only by mixing light from the R, G, B LEDs, notby using any of the white LEDs.

Thus, in this case, the whites LEDs and the R, G, B LEDs do not emitlight simultaneously.

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which illustrate an lightbulb example implementing the concept mentioned above.

In FIG. 1, a light bulb, as a light apparatus, includes a bulb shell101, a bulb body housing 107. There is a plugging terminal 1071 insertedto a bottom of the bulb body housing 107. A heat sink component 105 likea metal cup is attached for bringing heat of a light source plate 104 tothe bulb body housing 107.

There is a driver circuit board enclosed by the bulb body housing 107.The driver circuit is connected to the plugging terminal 1071 and thecap terminal 103 for receiving an external power source. The drivercircuit board is mounted with a driver circuit 109 and a wirelesscircuit 108. The driver circuit 109 generates one or multiple drivingcurrents by converting the external power source, like 110V or 220Valternating current source.

The wireless circuit 108 is used for receiving and/or sending a statusto an external device like a mobile phone or a remote control. Thecommands from the external device may indicate the driver circuit 109 tochange current or duty ratio to a white set of LED components and anon-white set of LED components.

The light source plate 104 mounted with the LED modules has a pluggablesocket 106 for receiving a pin of the driver circuit board for supplyingelectricity to the LED modules on the light source plate 104. By usingthe pluggable socket 106, welding may be replaced with an easierassembling structure. The wireless circuit 108 may implement one ormultiple wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-wave and anantenna 102 is protruding upwardly for transmitting and/or receivingsignal for the wireless circuit 108.1

In FIG. 2, the bulb shell has an elastic hook 110 to be connected to thebulb body housing, which may strengthen the structure of the lightapparatus.

In FIG. 3, there is a white set of LED modules and a non-white set ofLED modules. The white set of LED modules include a first white LEDmodule 114 and a second white LED module 115. The first white LED module114 and the second white LED module 115 are both white LED modules buthave different color temperatures. As mentioned above, in a first mode,the first white LED module 114 and the second white LED module 115 maybe adjusted for mixing a desired color temperature.

The non-white set of LED modules has a red LED module 111, a green LEDmodule 112, a blue LED module 113. By adjusting current or duty ratio ofthe red LED module 111, the green LED module 112 and the blue LED module113, the light apparatus may emit different light colors in the secondmode.

In FIG. 4, an illustrative circuit diagram is provided for explaininghow to implement the driver circuit.

In FIG. 4, the driver circuit has a bridge circuit 201 for filtering anAC current. A DC to AC converter 202 is used for generating a stable DCcurrent supplying to a wireless circuit 2062 and a driver chip 203. Thewireless circuit 2062 is connected to an antenna 2061 for receiving anexternal command. The driver chip 203 receives the DC current may becontrolled by a manual switch, a default setting, or the externalcommand received by the wireless circuit 2062 for generating separatedriving currents respectively to a white set of LED components 205 and anon-white set of LED components 204. The white set of LED components 205may have a first white LED component 2051 and a second white LEDcomponent 2052 with different color temperatures. The non-white set ofLED components 204 may include a red LED component 2041, a green LEDcomponent 2042, a blue LED component 2043.

There are multiple ways to implement the circuit. For example, FIG. 5illustrate another circuit design.

In FIG. 5, the bridge circuit 301 filters an AC current. There are twoAC-DC converters 302, 303 respectively supplying power to a white set ofLED components 304 and a non-white set of LED components 305. Thewireless circuit 306 receives signals from an antenna 307. The signalsmay include an external command for changing the currents of the AC-DCconverters 302, 303 for changing color temperatures or colors asmentioned above in the first mode or the second mode.

In some embodiments, a light apparatus includes a white set of LED(Light Emitted Diode) modules and a non-white set of LED modules. Thewhite set of LED modules may include two or more than two LED modules.Each LED module may have one or more than one LED component, e.g. apackaged LED IC covered with fluorescent layer for emitting a light whenreceiving a driving current. There are more than two types of LEDmodules that emit different white lights, e.g. with different colortemperatures, in the white set of LED modules.

The non-white set of LED modules may include two or more than two LEDmodules. Each LED module may have one or more than one LED component,e.g. a packaged LED IC covered with fluorescent layer for emitting alight when receiving a driving current. There are more than two types ofLED modules that emit different lights, e.g. with different colors, inthe non-white set of LED modules.

For example, the white set of LED modules has a first LED module and asecond LED module. The first LED module emits a first light with a firstcolor temperature and the second LED module emits a second light with asecond color temperature. The first color temperature is different fromthe second color temperature. For example, the first LED module may emita light with similar spectrum as sunrise white light, and the second LEDmodule may emit a light with similar spectrum as noon white light.

For example, the non-white set of LED modules includes a third LEDmodule and a fourth LED module. The third LED module emits a third lightwith a third color and the fourth LED module emits a fourth light with afourth color. The third color is different from the fourth color. Theremay be a fifth LED module so that the third LED module, the fourth LEDmodule and the fifth LED module emit red color, blue color and greencolor, respectively. By adjusting light strengths of non-white set ofLED modules, a desired color may be mixed.

The light apparatus also has a control circuit for indicating anoperation mode selected from at least a first mode and a second mode.The control circuit, for example, may be a digital circuit or integratedwith a mechanic device for storing a status. Users may adjust a manualswitch, operate a remote control for setting or adjusting the controlcircuit for indicating a different operation mode that may be selectedfrom a first mode, a second mode and/or other modes.

A driver module is connected to the control circuit for selectivelysupplying currents to the first LED module, the second LED module, thethird LED module, and the fourth LED module according to the operationmode. The driver module may include a current source, a PWM powercircuit or other driver circuit types, for converting 110V or 220V AC tocorresponding DC currents supplying to drive the white set of LEDmodules and the non-white set of LED modules. There may be multiplesub-modules in the driver module respectively for each LED module or forthe white set and the for the non-white set of LED modules,respectively.

In the first mode, the first LED module and the second LED module areactivated and the third LED module and the fourth LED module aredeactivated for mixing a first output light using the first LED moduleand the second LED module. For example, no current is supplied to thenon-white set of LED modules in the first mode. The first LED module andthe second LED module are supplied with different currents to obtaindifferent first output lights with different color temperatures.

In the second mode, the first LED and the second LED module aredeactivated and the third LED module and the fourth LED module areactivated for mixing a second output light using the third LED moduleand the fourth LED module. For example, the first LED module and thesecond LED module are turned off. The third LED module, the fourth LEDmodule and maybe other LED module in the non-white set of LED modulesare turned on to mix a desired color.

In some embodiments, the first output light is adjusted to a differentcolor temperature by adjusting light strengths of the first LED moduleand the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the different color temperature of the first outputlight is obtained by changing a first current ratio of currentssupplying to the first LED module and the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the different color temperature of the first outputlight is obtained by changing duty ratios of the first LED module andthe second LED light module. In PWM power supplying, there is a dutyratio, the turned-on to turned-off ratio in a quickly repeated cycle, inPWM current supply. By adjusting the duty ratio, the overall outputlight strength is obtained. By adjusting the relative duty ratio betweenthe first LED module and the second LED module, a different colortemperature may be mixed.

In some embodiments, the first LED module and the second LED module emitlights simulating black body radiation spectrums corresponding todifferent sun light times. Black body radiation spectrum is used inPhysics, for indicating light characteristics similar to sun lightfeatures.

In some embodiments, the non-white set of LED modules also includes afifth LED module. The third LED module emits a red light, the fourth LEDmodule emits a green light and the fifth LED module emits a blue light.The second output light is adjusted to have different colors by changinga output ratio of the third LED module, the fourth LED module and thefifth LED module.

In some embodiments, there is a wireless circuit connected to thecontrol circuit for choosing the operation mode from the first mode andthe second mode. The wireless circuit may implement Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, orother wireless protocols for receiving and/or transmitting signals to anexternal device like a mobile phone or a remote control.

In some embodiments, the wireless circuit also receives an externalcommand for adjusting the first output light and the second outputlight. The external command may indicate a desired color temperature, adesired color, or a overall light strength for a luminance level.

In some embodiments, there is a manual switch manually operated by auser for indicating the control circuit to choose the operation modefrom the first mode and the second mode. For example, the manual switchmay be installed on a wall, on a back side of the light apparatus, on aremote control or on other places for users to operate for setting thelight apparatus. The manual switch may be a button, a rotating switch, atouch panel, a jumper switch or other forms. The control circuit mayreceive the status of the manual switch and translate the status tochoose a corresponding operation mode or other parameters.

For example, a light bulb as an example may be disposed with a manualswitch near its bulb cap. Users may buy the same light bulb but switchthe manual switch to set the output light of the light bulb to a desiredcolor temperature or a desired color. This may decrease the storage inthe store and users may even change the setting when they want to do so.Such mechanism may also be applied to down light, panel light, spotlight or other light devices.

In some embodiments, the manual switch is concealed from direct usertouch after installation of the light apparatus.

In some embodiments, the driver circuit has a shared current circuit forsupplying a driving current to either the white set of LED modules orthe non-white set of LED modules. As mentioned above, since the whiteset of LED module and the non-white set of LED modules may be set notturning on at the same time, there may be a shared current sourcesupplying a common current source either supplying to the white set ofLED modules or the non-white set of LED modules. In other words, in suchdesign, there may be two sets of LED modules, but there may be only oneset of driver circuit. Since the cost of LED modules are decreasing, theoverall value of such design keeps increasing.

In some embodiments, the shared circuit switches the driving current toeither the white set of LED modules or the non-white set of LED modulesbased on the operation mode.

In some embodiments, the driver module adjusts the first output light bychanging duty ratios of the first LED module and the second LED modulevia PWM power supplying.

In some embodiments, the driver module adjusts the second output lightby changing current ratios of the third LED module and the fourth LEDmodule.

In some embodiments, the driver module activates both the white set ofLED modules and the non-white set of LED modules in a third mode forgenerating a third output light.

In some embodiments, the driver module activates both the white set ofLED modules and the non-white set of LED modules in a third mode forgenerating a third output light.

In some embodiments, a mixed color of the third output light is changedby adjusting the non-white set of LED modules.

In some embodiments, a mixed color temperature of the third output lightis changed by adjusting the white set of LED modules.

In some embodiments, the white set of LED modules and the non-white setof LED modules are placed in an alternating mixed manner. Specifically,there may be multiple LED modules in the white set of LED modules andthe non-white set of LED modules. To mix a better output light, themultiple LED modules may be disposed in an alternating mixed manner,e.g. different types of LED modules are placed next to each other whilethe same types of LED modules are distributed evenly on a light sourceplate.

In addition, since the first mode and the second mode determine that thewhite set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules are notturned on at the same time, one LED module of the white set of LEDmodules may be placed adjacent to one LED module of the non-white set ofLED modules for achieving better heat dissipation, i.e. heat notaccumulated at the same place.

In some embodiments, the control circuit switches to the first mode orthe second mode when the white set of LED modules or the non-white setof LED modules are damaged.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the techniques and their practical applications. Othersskilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniquesand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that variouschanges and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingincluded within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined bythe claims.

1. A light apparatus with mixed light output, comprising: multiple LEDmodules, each LED module comprising a package housing for multiple LEDregions, at least two of the multiple LED regions sharing multiplesemiconductor layers but with different etched trench patterns on asubstrate under the multiple semiconductor layers to emit differentlight outputs because of the different etched trench patterns, themultiple LED regions having separate electrodes, the multiple LEDregions sharing the package housing for emitting lights with differentoptical characteristics; a control circuit for determining currentssupplied to the multiple LED modules separately for generating a mixedlight output with requested optical parameters, different LED modulesare controlled separately so as to emit different mixed lights; and adriver module for electrically connecting to the separate electrodes ofthe multiple LED regions and connecting to the control circuit forselectively supplying the currents to the multiple LED regions of themultiple LED modules.
 2. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein themultiple LED regions comprise a blue light region, a red light region, agreen light region and a white light region.
 3. The light apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the multiple LED regions emit lights with differentcolor temperatures.
 4. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein themultiple LED regions emit lights with different color spectrums.
 5. Thelight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple LED regions in the LEDmodule are arranged as grids.
 6. The light apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe different LED regions comprise the same LED chips covered withdifferent first fluorescent layers and a same second fluorescent layer.7. The light apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first fluorescent layershave less area than the second fluorescent layer.
 8. The light apparatusof claim 7, wherein the second fluorescent layer comprise multiplesub-layers stacked one above another.
 9. The light apparatus of claim 1,wherein the multiple LED regions contain different LED chips.
 10. Thelight apparatus of claim 9, wherein the different LED chips are keptwith a distance.
 11. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sameLED regions in different LED modules are supplied with different currentvalues.
 12. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein when an overalldriving current is decreased, the currents supplied to different LEDregions drop at different speeds.
 13. The light apparatus of claim 1,wherein light emitted directions of the multiple LED regions areoverlapped partially.
 14. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefluorescent layers of the multiple LED regions are arranged with a tiltangles for overlapping emitted lights of the multiple LED regions. 15.The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein area sizes of the multiple LEDregions are not the same.
 16. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast two of the multiple LED regions are covered with the samefluorescent layer.
 17. The light apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol circuit comprises a communication circuit for receiving anexternal command.
 18. The light apparatus of claim 17, wherein thecommunication circuit is a wireless circuit.
 19. The light apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the multiple LED regions are not supplied the currentsat the same time.
 20. The light apparatus of claim 19, wherein the LEDregions are supplied with the currents sequentially in an adjustableorder over time to emit different mixed lights.